Cause it does mine and it kinda sucks I like to sit on the couch and watch my favorite evening television and crochet and inevitably, I have to stop after half an hour or so cause my shoulder is killing me. I have an anti-inflammatory from when I hurt my wrist a few weeks ago and that helps my shoulder too, but I don't know what I'm gonna do when it runs out. Anyone else have a similar problem or am I the only one who crochets from the shoulder? Any suggestions on how to prevent this that doesn't include the words "don't crochet"?

I have arthritis in my hands so I have that going for me (yeah.) but also my right arm does get quite a work out from crocheting. Also I have a tendency to lean in on my elbows when I crochet and I think that makes it worse so I try and sit up when I think about it. Over time it aches LESS than it did when I first started crocheting so take heart. I'd say try not to stay in the same position for too long and take frequent breaks maybe? Oh! also another thing.. I have less hand and arm pain when I crochet with thread as opposed to yarn.. yarn takes more effort for me.Sorry I know.. I'm probably no help..

My hubby bought me this message pad thing that is like a seat well I put that on the couch and set it on heat. Sometimes I will set it on low massage too lol. I also make sure to take breaks and sit so that my arm can rest on the arm rest of the couch or on a pillow. Then whenever I feel a little tinge I stop stand up and do all those stretches that I did in elementary school. Like lift my arms as high as I can go then twist and turn and just make my muscles move around again. It seems to work. I have a really bad back though so... yeah I have to move a great deal to keep the pain away.

Crocheting really shouldn't hurt unless there is some sort of underlying problem. Most pain like this comes from not sitting properly. Now, I'm last person to be telling anyone to sit up straight, so I'll just suggest this: try sitting in different positions.

A massage therapist suggested to me once to try putting a big pillow on my lap so that the crochet was held up higher, and that seemed to help.

If you can't figure out a position that works for you, your best bet is to do as the others have suggested and break often. If you keep crocheting to the point of pain, then eventually you might have to stop altogether. It's best to take shorter breaks now, I think. That way you get to keep crocheting!

I hurt my shoulder in a fall last year, and not crocheting while it healed was *really* difficult (I still don't know how non-crafty people can just sit and watch tv. I just don't get it!) but in the end it was totally worth it. "Pause now so you don't have to stop later" and all that.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm going to try out all your suggestions and see what comes of it. I think posture might be part of the problem, because if I sit at the table instead of the couch, I don't have the same issue. Maybe I'll need to bring a chair into the living room and just avoid the couch when crocheting...

I've tried shifting my grip before, and I just can't get a feel for holding them any other way. I've recently had the thought to try making poly clay handles for some of my most used hooks and see if that helps at all...

I don't have a shoulder issue at all - it does sound like you are sitting funny or not relaxed..Having said that - a friend of mine in Canada who will remain nameless since I don't want to rat her out here until she outs herself on her own - does get shoulder pain from crocheting and has for quite awhile from what it seems. I feel for her. I'd have to roll up in to a ball and just rock in sadness if crocheting hurt me!